Wednesday, 25 May 2011

"Perhaps this tape is more valuable as a geographical marker than a musical masterpiece, but when I saw it sitting in Allan's distro I snagged it without a moment's hesitation. Bulsa Breakout is a 60 minute compilation of bands from Bulgaria (BUL) and South Africa (SA) released cooperatively by Sound Action in South Africa and Art Of Noise in Bulgaria sometime in the 90s (I'm guessing on the date based on band photos and musical styles). Bulgaria takes side 1 and starts with LAST HOPE (pretty basic dirty UK sounding punk) and STRATEGY X (an attempt at modern H'C with rudimentary drums and meaty guitars, it works really well)...both are fukkn brilliant. MEANSTREAM sound like a tougher STRATEGY X, and the lo-fi delivery suits them perfectly, FORWARD seem like they are trying to be poppy, but the shit is too fast and chaotic and they come off like 80s Italian thrashers, IN-CRIMINAL are slower plodding angry HC while FACE UP offer one song of late 80s NYHC.
The South African side leaves a bit to be desired, and I confess that I almost left a few of these songs off altogether, but then there's beauty and eyes of the beholder and all that, so I included the garage quality NOFX rip off (FUNGY GONE WEST) and a band that sounds like a wimpy WEEZER who likely pre-date WEEZER (THE GLEE CLUB). But then our sub-Saharan friends redeem themselves with killer female fronted hardcore tunes from OUTRAGE (their second tune has a very anarcho feel to it, and is the best on the tape to my ears) and forceful plodding UK style punk from DIMINISHED RETURN. The SA side rounds out with FRIDGE MAGNET (more UK punk) and CRUSH (tuneful ripping HC not unlike SNFU). Just in case there was any doubt as to the international commitment put forth on this tape, things wrap up with a radio piece that features Malaysia's CARBURETOR DUNG from a previous Sound Action tape release. A few of these tunes should probably be put in the trash file after first listen (not the most ringing endorsement of my potential download, I realize, but honesty always pays off in the end...right?), but there are great tunes buried in here, and the simple fact that two different corners of the world reached out to one another to make this happen makes it more than worthwhile to me. And if you care about the world, then you will download this tape immediately."

from - http://terminalescape.blogspot.com/2010/06/bulsa-breakout.html (Terminal Escape is a home for cassettes. Terminal Escape is here to share music that was released on, or copied onto, cassette. Whenever possible)

Monday, 16 May 2011

War on Salt played blues influenced skate punk with ska here and there. War on Salt was a Cape Town based band which was started in 2000 with original members Graeme, Arjuna and Luke, who all went to the same high school (Pinelands High). Graeme Danger, left the band mid 2001 to start the band False Pretense. Josh Merifield then joined and the band recorded the 1st and only War on Salt (self titled) album. In 2003 shortly after War on Salt split, members of WOS and False Pretense joined forces and took a complete change in musical direction, starting the funk rock band, "The Allstar Funk Four"

Random fact about war on salt = War on Salt once consisted of a vegan, a vegetarian and a carnivore

The Allstar Funk Four had a short but exciting musical journey, having recorded an EP (The Party Rocking EP) and a full length album (Control Alternative Delete) both produced by Arjuna Kohlstock. The band also went on to claim the 1st prize in SABC 3's 'Pump Up The Volume' - basically a version of pop idols for bands.

Shortly after this the band split up in December 2007, Arjuna left for Sydney, Australia and Luke moved to Durban to pursue religious studies. Upon Arjuna's return to Cape Town 6 months later he joined the up and coming Indie Rock band, The Plastics, in October of 2008. The Plastics are still very active in the Cape Town music scene.

Graeme Danger went on to start the group The Boombox Troopers who are due to release their debut EP in July 2011. Graeme maintained a good working relationship with Arjuna, who produced their EP, Life After Zef, for them.

Joshua Merifield currently plays in the Cape Town based band, Black River, who do not yet have any recordings released.

some stuff on War on Salt:

*thanks go to Arjuna Kohlstock for providing SAPD with the MP3s and text for this post*

Friday, 6 May 2011

"With Death Valley Blues Band on break, Cami Scoundrel began losing her mind without Rock'N'Roll (as any good Ghoul would). Zam Boney, recent member of The 'Dogs, was looking for a good time gig band while Slashdogs decreased the amount of live shows to focus on song writing for the new album. A chance Jam materialised, and the ever ready Submachine and DVBB drummer Storm Awesome came along for the ride. Now, a Fakabili Three piece, The Carniwhores are ready to get your creepers a' stompin', your pompadours a' floppin' and your Leopard print covered hips a' swayin'

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South African Punk

A really cool kid once asked "...Where is our music?!".Well here it is!

RIP Johnny Way

This blog has been started to try and put together a documented audio history of past and present music from the South Afican punk scene / DIY underground.This is about sharing some of the music we make and have made. rather than trying to sell a product.Most of everything posted is out of print + I will have asked permission to post from the creators of the work but sometimes this can be very difficult... if not impossible.So if you have a copyright issue with something that I have posted and would like it removed please let me know in the comments.